Environment Group Backs Legal Action Against Shell Over Climate Violation

Friends of the Earth Netherlands has revealed plans to institute a legal action against Shell Oil Corporation if it failed to stop activities that destroy the climate.

The proposed legal action has received the backing of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN).

The Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Godwin Ojo disclosed this at a media briefing on ‘Litigation as Advocacy’ with the theme ‘climatechange: Court Case against Shell’ held in Benin City, recently.

He recalled that in Nigeria, according to the United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP) report on assessment of Ogoni in 2011, Shell was found guilty of polluting community lands, climate waters and gassing communities through gas flaring which is a major contributor to climate change.

Ojo stated, “By the day, it is becoming evident that Shell may be running from the mess, but cannot evade justice. The plan by the Friends of the Earth Netherlands to take Shell to court will further embolden imparted communities in the Niger Delta to institute cases to demand that lives seized and ruined by Shell’s activities are taken back.

“This case is supported by Friends of the Earth International, which campaigns for climate justice for people across the world impacted by dirty energy and climate change. Friends of the Earth International has 75 member groups globally, many of them working to stop Shell extracting fossil  fuels in their country.”

While quoting Karin Nansen, chairman, Friends of the Earth International, he said: “This case matters for people every where. Shell is doing enormous damage worldwide – climate and dirty energy have devastating impacts around the world, but especially in the global South. With this law suit, we have to hold Shell to account.

“Friends of the Earth Netherlands’ case is part of a growing global movement to hold companies to account for their contributions to dangerous climatechange. In January, the cities in USA instituted court case against Shell, the case was unique as it was the climate lawsuit demanding that a fossil fuel company acts on climate change rather seeking compensation.